I have the Remington SPS Varmit chambered in 204 ruger. It is the first Remington I have ever owned. I am a Winchester Model 70 guy and spend a lot of time bedding stocks and achieving accuracy that I am very proud of. My remington is bone stock and the plastic stock is less than impressive with respect to looks. I will say that the rifle shoots really accurate bone stock but I am still interested in trying to improve with a different stock and bedding. If I have any complaint other than looks I will say the the factory or my reloads chamber really tough. Maybe I need to lap the bolt lugs or wait for it to break in, I'm really not sure. Any other thoughts from the 700 guys would be appreciated.
Scott

This rifle i am planning on getting is going to be a beginner long range rifle and more than likely not shoot past 500 yards if that. I alrady have a 270 win. so i would not like to get a 308. I also saw the other day a Savage Model 12 i think it was lefty with big stainless bull barrell with flutes and a nice action, i kind of like it better than the sps varmint any opinions on the Model 12 with bull barrell.

My plan for this rifle is get it and a scope to start off with then later on when funds permit replace the stock to something more solid. rifle will shoot varmints/ coyotes, and any other little critters. I more more than likely won't shoot past 500 yards.

Even if you wont shoot past 500, the 22s suffer terribly in any amount of wind even at shorter ranges. I would encourage you to step up in caliber. In the alternative to the 308, how about 243?

Remington or Savage...both are great platforms to begin with. I personally lean towards the Remington because aftermarket parts are more readily available. But if you go with the Savage, I think you would be happy too.

Either way, both are nice platforms and you're starting where most of us started...with a 'beginner' rig and build it up.

you don't say if you reload. i have killed most of my coyotes with a .243 with a 2.5-8 bausch and lomb; later i changed to a 3.5-10 leup. . i feel the 22-250 is easier to learn with. i have killed quite a few with it. and a bunch with the .223. i would suggest the 22-250. savage makes a 22-250 with a fast twist that you could use heavier higher bc bullets than the remington. coyotes are tough and a challenging target.

From first-hand experience I can assure you the .22-250 SPS Varmint will serve your needs well. I have one, although mine is a Cabela's special "SPSS" - with a stainless action and barrel (highly recommended), and they often have them marked down; mine was no more $ than a blue one most places. Not sure, however if any of the SPS's are available in left-handed, will check. Mine shoots easily under 3/4" inch with the first factory ammmo I tried (Fed. Premium Nosler BT 55gr., although you'd probably want something like a soft point for coyotes.) Bolt cycling and chambering is smooth as butter on mine. Like you, I intend to add a better stock, trigger, etc. later; the huge selection of aftermarket options for the 700 make it more desirable than the Savages (also good) IMO. With a 20X Super Sniper scope, mine comes in at a tad over your $800 price point.
Note: Cabela's is showing that stainless SPS V with a 40 buck rebate until 12/31, making it under $600. Still not sure about LH; maybe special order(?)

i am quite partial to 22-250's, not to mention the 700 style action. i'd go with one if you can. this one i built in january already has a 600 round count and i just shot 1/2 moa 5 shot groups at 100 yards. i also put together a 4.75 inch 3 shot group at 800.
i shoot 33.3 grain rl15 with 70 grn berger vld's. i can shoot up to 75grn but the 70's do just fine.
at 585 yards i can hit a 8x8 inch plate all day.

i have a few lame vids on youtube of me shooting it. i just need to know how to edit video, or have someone go with me, so i'm not so winded trying to set up so quickly and take shots while winded, to keep the vids from being too long.

btw the light is 650 lumens and its bright. i can easily id at 200 yards with no moonlight. the mount i just whipped up out of aluminum and covered it with shrink tube.

I think you would be happy with what you are looking at. For the money, the SPS varmint is a decent gun and the heavy 26: barrel is a plus. It would be nice if they had faster twist, but you can get pretty good out to 500 with 55gr from a 22-250 if you get one that is a shooter. The 223 would be fine as well and theres a good chance you could find a cheap ammo that it likes.

The stock would be my first place to upgrade, then the trigger. The 700 is a great platform for expanding on. If its in the budget, the stainless Cabelas version as mentioned above would be worth the upgrade.

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My family and I welcome you. I started LRH back in 2001 to provide a friendly place where like-minded individuals could share information and ideas to help take their long range shooting and hunting to the next level.